Chapter 4 Lucca
Lucca
I don’t want to die a virgin.
Those words replay through my mind like a broken record.
Her soft plea shifted something inside me.
The anger I’d been carrying dissipated when I saw her little surprise on my door handle until I watched her go sailing into the air as the cabby hit her.
Then it returned full force when the man got out of his car, screaming profanities and insults at my sweet Coco.
She was on the ground, injured, and when I noticed the blood staining the snow under her head, I lost it. He became my target.
Coco is getting her head stitched now while they wait for X-rays because she likely broke her arm and maybe her leg.
She was in a lot of pain as they loaded her into the ambulance.
Their refusal to allow me to join her nearly caused more bloodshed, but the cops were already looking for a reason to arrest me after the cabby pointed towards me.
Her boss, Janet, couldn’t leave because she had pastries in her shop’s oven, so she called Coco’s friend Sabrina. The young woman has been in with her since she arrived, and my anger is beginning to fester again.
“We have a meeting,” Preston reminds me for the fifth time.
“Cancel it, reschedule it, go to it yourself. I don’t fucking care, but I’m not leaving until I see her.
” My growl silences the waiting room as I get in Preston’s face.
Beating the man to a pulp wouldn’t be a first for me; we’ve had many scuffles over the years, and I’ve always come out on top, but it won’t do me any good right now.
He backs off, taking a seat, while I continue to pace.
An hour passes, then two; that’s my breaking point. I storm over to the triage nurse, and Preston curses behind me.
“Where is Coco Spencer?” I demand, nailing her with a deadly glare that causes her to gulp as she looks it up.
“Recovery. Second floor. Room 220.” She swallows audibly as she points towards the elevators.
“What the fuck is she in recovery for?” That was never mentioned.
“She needed her knee set. It was dislocated, and she had to be sedated.”
Snarling, I slam a fist on the desk, then head to the next floor. People scatter when they see me coming, and I’m sure it’s the deadly look on my face. The cab driver may not make it out of the hospital if she’s incapacitated in any way.
Taking a calming breath before entering the closed hospital room door, I twist the nob and hear Sabrina speaking. “He’s like a bull in a China shop. I’m telling you that man is pissed as hell, and everyone is avoiding him down there.”
It’s obvious she’s talking about me.
“He doesn’t need to worry about me. I’m just the stupid stalker girl.” Coco’s slightly slurred words indicate that she’s doped out on pain medication. There’s a hint of sadness to her tone, too. I don’t like that one bit.
As I’m about to make my presence known, Sabrina speaks up. “Please. You don’t see it because you think so little of yourself, but he can’t keep his eyes off you. Even before he knew you were leaving him those tasty treats.”
She’s not wrong. Coco is the sole reason I keep going back to that same coffee shop.
Instead of interrupting them now, I step back out, knock, and then enter. I don’t want Coco to think I’m taking pity on her because I overheard their conversation. “Hello?” Stepping past the curtain around her bed, I become homicidal but swallow it down.
“Hi!” she squeaks out with a little wave and half smile. Her head is wrapped in gauze, her arm in a sling, and her knee is bandaged and propped up.
“How are you?” Dark circles underscore her eyes; something I noticed when our gazes met before she darted into the street.
“High as a kite.” She gives a goofy grin.
With a knowing look, Sabrina gets up and says, “I’m just going to go grab some food. Back in a bit,” then heads to the door, leaving us alone.
I sit in the chair she vacated, reaching forward to touch the bit of flesh on Coco’s hip and thigh that is exposed from her gown. Trailing my finger around the growing bruise, Coco shifts the blanket, trying to hide the damage.
“I’m fine,” she whispers.
“You’re not,” I unintendingly bellow, but I’m so fucking angry. She was running from me. Terrified that I’d catch her.
“Okay.” Her simple agreement makes me look up. “It’s warm here,” she whispers like she’s forgotten me so quickly.
“I would hope so. Can’t heal when you’re freezing cold.”
Her pearly white teeth dig into her bottom lip like she’s stopping herself from saying something.
“Do you need anything?” I’ll do whatever she needs.
Something I never imagined myself thinking.
Her head shakes, and she groans, regretting the action.
I clasp her hand, bring it to my lips, and kiss the top, the inside of her wrist, then her palm.
“Anything at all, and I’ll get it.” My promise is a vow.
“Mmmkay.”
It’s clear that everything is catching up with her now.
“Sleep, amore. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her lips curve in a smile, and she turns towards me slightly, her fingers gripping my hand, stronger than I would have guessed.
As soon as she’s asleep, I release her, move to the medical board in her room, and catalogue her injuries while taking a picture to send to my personal doctor. I inquire about how long her healing will take and what she’ll need for recovery because the woman will get everything from me.
Spotting a text from my cousin Cormac, I debate ignoring the man but know he’ll only allow me to get away with it for so long before calling or enlisting my mother’s help.
Cor: How’d the meeting go?
Me: Fine. They’re on board.
The meeting this morning with a shipping company had been in the works for months until suddenly, the guy got cold feet. He needed a reminder of whom he was messing with. I restrained myself by only breaking a few fingers because the fool would need them to work.
Cor: When can I expect a call?
Me: By the end of the week.
Moving merchandise by water is easier than by plane or car. Though, it’s been a while since we’ve had trouble on the highways. However, this mess with Parks and his men trying to pilfer from me has caused us to investigate other ways to fulfill our shipping needs.
Cormac, Salvatore, and I have moved on from drugs and guns and now simply launder money to those who desire our services.
I hadn’t realized at the time we made that decision that I would have a woman in my future, and this would make things safer for her.
However, I’m relieved now because as Coco sleeps peacefully, I know that I’ll do anything to keep her safe.